December 22, 2006

THE EVERGREEN LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES:

Maui erects Christmas tree to protect menorah (JTA Daily Briefing, 12/22/06)

The American Civil Liberties Union complained to Maui County this week after seeing the menorah, accompanied by a dreidel, in front of the county building. A local rabbi had asked authorities for permission to set up the menorah. The ACLU cited laws that say that displaying a religious symbol by itself could constitute endorsement of that religion.

County workers scrambled Wednesday to find a Christmas tree, in short supply in Hawaii this late in the season. One was found at a local botanical garden.


Posted by Orrin Judd at December 22, 2006 5:41 PM
Comments

I admire their resourcefulness but . . . what's religious about a "Christmas" tree?

Posted by: John Resnick at December 22, 2006 6:00 PM

Right. This was my first reaction, too.

A Christmas tree is not a religious symbol. But then, maybe it's only anti-Christians who think that.

Posted by: ray at December 23, 2006 8:29 AM

Not merely a religious symbol. but a triumphalist religious symbol, celebrating the the crushing of paganism in the age of conversion: one of those things you could look up.

Posted by: Lou Gots at December 24, 2006 7:39 AM
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